RESIDENTS have urged health bosses to keep GP services in Askam after the village’s only GP announced he was retiring.

Dr Prakashchandra Jain, the sole GP at Askam Surgery, was arrested in August 2019 after an allegation of sexual assault was made to police.

He was released under investigation which is still ongoing.

The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service imposed conditions on his practise which include a ban on seeing female patients without a chaperone

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A locum GP has provided cover at the surgery in Parklands Drive but Dr Jain has now announced he is retiring in March sparking fears for the future of GP services in Askam.

In a sign on the surgery’s door he said: “I am very sorry to let you know that I have decided to retire from the practice.

“I have tried to provide cover with locums over the past few months but it has proved difficult.

“I am sorry for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience and support.

“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve you.”

Askam county councillor Ben Shirley said the CCG must retain GP services in the village.

“Now Dr Jain is formally retiring it’s absolutely vital that a new GP comes in and takes on the surgery,” he said.

“Local people are rightly concerned about the future of the surgery.

“I have written to the CCG and the director of public health and have asked for clarity around the next steps and pressed for things to move in a timely manner.

“Working together with the community and healthcare providers we will do all that we can to keep the surgery in Askam so that residents of Askam and Ireleth can get an appointment in the village where they live.”

A spokesman from Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group said: “

The CCG will continue to ensure access to GP services for all patients in Morecambe Bay, including those residing in Askam and Ireleth.

“We are in the process of carrying out a Health Needs Analysis which will include gathering the views of the local population. This process will determine how GP services are delivered to this population in the future.

“Morecambe Bay CCG with NHS England will continue to keep patients fully informed and involved throughout the process.”